How to Make a Speaker Box for a Room
Many electronic-savvy homeowners install sound systems to get the most out of their stereo and television setups. A set of quality speakers is the key to clear, rich sound. Making your own speaker boxes gives you the freedom to fully customize your sound system, and keeps you from going broke. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Medium density fiberboard sheets
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Hand saw or circular saw
- Jigsaw
- Subwoofers
- Drill
- Paint or stain
- Screws
- Terminal cup
- Speaker wire
- Insulation
Instructions
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Place a sheet of medium density fiberboard on a steel work bench, and measure out two 12-inch by 18-inch rectangles, two 14-inch by 18-inch rectangles and two 12-inch square pieces of fiberboard, outlining them with a pencil as a visual guideline. Cut the sections from the sheet with a hand saw or circular saw, moving slowly and keeping the saw as steady as possible for straight, smooth cuts.
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2
Lay the subwoofer face down in the center of the 12-inch wide section, and trace around it with a pencil. Drill a hole in the middle of the circle and cut the circle out of the fiberboard with a jigsaw.
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3
Cut a hole in the lower half of the remaining 12-inch wide piece for the terminal cup. Measure the length and width of the cup with the measuring tape, and transfer these measurements to the fiberboard rectangle. Drill through the fiberboard and use the jigsaw to cut around the marked area.
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4
Paint each piece of fiberboard, and allow the paint to dry. If you want your speaker to retain the look of natural wood, stain it with a medium-tinted wood stain.
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Lay the rectangle with the subwoofer hole face down on a work bench, and place the long edge of one of the 14-inch sections against the left side. Screw the box together with wood screws spaced every 2 inches along the length of the board.
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6
Screw the remaining 14-inch board on the right side of the 12-inch piece. Set the board up on end, and slip the last 12-inch wide pieces into the open space between the boards. Screw them together on both sides, and screw the 12-inch squares on the top and bottom to complete the box.
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Snip two 24-inch pieces of speaker wire from the roll, and connect a wire to the positive and negative connections on the inside of the terminal cup. Slide the cup through the square cut in the back, and screw it onto the box. Thread the loose wires out the subwoofer hole in the font of the box.
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Fill the inside of the speaker box with loose insulation. The subwoofer will vibrate and rattle the box, and stuffing the box with insulation absorbs the shock and produces cleaner, more even sounds.
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Connect the free ends of the speaker wire to the ports on the back of the subwoofer, and place the subwoofer in the hole. Screw it down tight before hooking your new speaker box to your sound system.
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Tips & Warnings
Speaker parts are available at most music and electronics retailers.
Make sure the stain on the box parts is completely dry before screwing them together. Fiberboard is porous and may require multiple coats for a glossy, even finish.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
